How would you describe your journey? Brief us on the inception story of your career.
Payal’s Response:
That’s an interesting question, Here’s a little bit of my backstory. It all started with a question in my mind- ‘why do we have only a few exceptional leaders in any organization?’
See, I had a very successful start in the United States. And I remember how friends and family told me that I am in a land of opportunities where people are very successful. But the reality I saw around me here was different. I observed that despite all the information and resources, most people struggled at their work. The number of successful people was few in number. And most people were stuck at the mid-level- both in the corporate and business world. I wanted to get to the root of this gap between the average and exceptionally successful peopl. Later, I left the comfort of Corporate America and immersed myself in research that helped me understand the reason for this gap. It formed the springboard of Success Within Leadership, dedicated to developing transformed leaders who influence, innovate and implement with speed and serenity in any economy.
Enlighten us about the work you do?
Payal’s Response:
I am famous as an executive coach where I help leaders bring about a massive transformation in themselves so they can be highly successful leaders. When they change their thinking and behaviors, they can maximize their leadership potential, succeed in the corporate world, and experience a fulfilled career life. I have a proven philosophy that leverages each client’s inner resources to become high-performers and develop success.
Where do you find inspiration? What motivates you to work harder?
Payal’s Response:
It’s people like you and millions of others who inspire me to move forward. When I hear stories of people who have become successful using my “insider” techniques and how it has transformed them into world-class leaders, I feel inspired to give more and serve more. Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing people rise up. My drive to help people learn how to be world-class leaders is what even got me started into book writing. I’ve made it my mission to help people become successful in life by teaching them the importance of behavioral changes. I feel my work is most rewarding.
Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person.
Payal’s Response:
- Honored by the US media for re-defining leadership
- Recipient of the Global Humanitarian Award by Bloom for her work in leadership
- Recognized by the Times Group as the Most Influential Personality in Leadership and Executive Coaching
- Received the GCPIT award for having trained and coached more than a million professionals to be world-class leader
- Recognized as the Top 10 Coach by Silicon India
- Recipient of the State Ribbon award, USA, for her work in leadership.
- Award-winning host of the globally recognized leadership mastery podcast — THE PAYAL NANJIANI LEADERSHIP PODCAST.
What is the one thing you wish you had known about women in your line of work before you started working?
Payal’s Response:
The power of networking. I wish I had appreciated this much earlier in my career.
Do you believe it is compulsory for a woman to manage a household alongside her work?
Payal’s Response:
I think nature has given a man and a woman some intrinsic quality and behavior patterns. Taking care of the house and doing household chores is a great quality in women. Similarly, taking care of the household finances comes naturally to men. Whether a woman must do the household work or not is a decision each of us needs to make for ourselves. What is important though is that women must keep moving ahead in their career regardless of the challenges.
As a woman, what has been the highlight of you career? What are the changes you wish to make for the better in your professional life post-pandemic?
Payal’s Response:
So, when I first got started in this field of leadership speaking, coaching, and book writing, there weren’t women of Indian descent in America that I was aware of that were doing exactly what I wanted to be doing. It’s typically a white dominated field. So there wasn’t any role model or guidance I could have then. And eventually, I became known as the only woman of Indian descent to be a leadership speaker and author in the USA. And America is one place where you get known not by your gender or color but for the value you bring. Now I also work to help more women of color to be visible in their field of work.
Brief us on the changes the pandemic brought to your sector and your market. Has the work-culture altered?
Payal’s Response:
I think every market has been impacted by the pandemic. For one, we all stepped into digitization and that changed the game. So, I am glad that now along with in-person sessions, I can also opt for online.
What words of wisdom/ inspiration/ advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?
Payal’s Response:
I would say this- any challenge that comes your way doesn’t come based on your gender or color. Challenges are for anyone who dreams big, and your job is to stick to your higher purpose. When you make a decision keeping your higher goal in mind-then there is no confusion. The Universe will show you your next step. Your job is to overcome the challenge and not get sucked into any biases.
About Payal Nanjiani:
Globally Acclaimed Leadership Expert and Speaker , Top Executive Coach , and New York Award-Winning Author
Recognized by the TIMES Group as the most influential leadership speaker and executive coach, Payal Nanjiani is a globally acclaimed Indian-American leadership expert, executive coach, and author.She has spent over 2 decades helping leaders and organizations grow, transform, and succeed.
A prominent figure in the corporate and business world, her books, and podcast have made her one of the best-known names in leadership training and executive coaching.
She is known to get people to achieve a leadership breakthrough, get to their next level, and achieve extraordinary levels of success.
She is a New York award-winning author of leadership books.
Payal has been honored by the TIMES group for her leadership speaking and coaching and has been featured on America’s Fox 50 news channel for redefining leadership.
Payal believes in her philosophy that leadership starts and ends with you
For more information visit : www.payalnanjiani.com
